Chapter 18
The darkness.
All-consuming darkness.
It was cold.
Merlin.
So cold.
Merlin.
Whisper sounded ever louder.
It sounded very familiar.
"Lancelot." Merlin whispered back.
Golden light flashed in the darkness.
Merlin, go back.
"How do I ...? I am tired. I want to sleep."
Not Merlin. You have to go back.
"Freya ..."
She is not here. Even I'm not here. Don't you understand. This darkness, you yourself has made it. I finally realized how heavy burden you carry. I've seen what is to come. You need to go back. Without you ...
"No ..."
Without you none of them don't survive. You're their only hope.
The golden light picked up. Hand reached out toward Merlin.
"But, Arthur, he ... I died."
No Merlin. Don't you feel it. Your magic. Your powers. You don't yet know everything about yourself. You don't know what all you will still come experience and learn. You don't still know why you are there. Not really. So no, Merlin. You can not die. Not now. Not never.
"Cold ..."
Come, I will show you the way out.
And Lancelot was standing completely front of him.
Feel you power. Heal yourself. And I show the way out. You have rested enough.
Merlin took Lancelot's outstretched hand.
He felt how the heat and light returned slowly.
He felt the magic around him.
Merlin smiled.
Just, don't make this habit, Merlin. You really have to short out your tiredness some other way.